Why the Mets aren't yet panicking about Max Scherzer

It appears the New York Mets aren't yet panicking about the status and performances of co-ace Max Scherzer. 

"Even after a poor start at (the Detroit Tigers) last week, some people around the Mets at least felt good about the idea Scherzer would soon get into a flow of pitching on a regular schedule after interruptions with back discomfort and a 10-game suspension," The Athletic's Will Sammon explained in a piece published Wednesday. "So much for that. Scherzer has now logged just (6.1 innings) over the past four weeks. There’s a belief around the Mets that once Scherzer gets going, he will be fine."

Scherzer surrendered eight hits and six earned runs in 3.1 innings at the Tigers last Wednesday and then acknowledged he was trying to work through lingering discomfort "below his right scapula" and "around his shoulder blade." 

The 38-year-old was scheduled to take the bump Tuesday at the Cincinnati Reds but was scratched from that start due to neck spasms.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday afternoon the Mets considered Scherzer's latest issue to be "minor." Sammon seemed to echo that take. 

"The Mets believe Scherzer’s neck spasms are totally unrelated to any other issues with his back or anything else," Sammon continued. "Things would get worse if Scherzer ends up needing to miss time due to the other ailments." 

Scherzer hasn't pitched like a three-time Cy Young Award winner when available this spring, as he is 2-2 with a 5.56 ERA and gave the Mets just 22.2 innings of work across his first five starts. 

Meanwhile, fellow co-ace Justin Verlander was making only his second start of the campaign Wednesday in Cincinnati after he landed on the injured list back on Opening Day with a shoulder problem. 

Simply put, the 17-19 Mets once thought to be World Series contenders need more from Scherzer and Verlander soon if they're going to compete for anything better than a .500 record throughout the summer months.